The Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental
Retardation gives two major awards each year to eligible
volunteers of state schools, state hospitals and regional
health centers across the state. Recipients of this award
demonstrate outstanding contributions to improving local and
state programs for Texans with mental illness or mental
retardation.

This year Drennan was awarded the Mary Holdsworth Butt
Award, the highest award for a volunteer, which was designed
as a tribute to Mrs. Butt of the HEB grocery chain. The
award is given to persons who have followed a path of
service to persons with mental illness or mental retardation
and to the department, community MHMR centers, volunteers
and to members of the Texas MHMR board.

Texas MHMR Commissioner Karen Hale of Austin and Mollie
Maldonado of HEB presented the award to Drennan, who is a
member of the Abilene Volunteer Services Council and former
president of Abilene State School. He is also the president
of the Volunteer State Services Council, which is composed
of over 40 volunteer councils throughout Texas.

Drennan began his volunteer service at Abilene State
School in 1988. He has held numerous offices on the school's
Volunteer Services Council and is a current member of the
board of directors for the Volunteer Services State Council,
serving as vice president at the present time.

If you are a member of the media who would like more
information about this release, please contact Tom
Craig, director of media and community relations, at
craigt@acu.edu or call
915-674-2692 (cell phone: 665-5469).